The skipper reasoned the defensive errors that cropped up in his side and felt his side were adjusting to the absence of Sandeep Narwal.

The Patna Pirates’ winning run came to a halt in Pune against home team Puneri Paltan as a late two-point raid from Ajay Thakur forced the Patna Pirates to be content with the share of the spoils. The ultimate result was disappointing for Patna Pirates after they led the game for thirty-eight minutes.

Captain Manpreet Singh analysed the draw after the game and stated that a few defensive errors from his side cost them a win in the opening game of the Pune leg on Thursday.

“We made a few defensive mistakes today. Our main defenders were not at their peak and that’s something that is unusual for us this season. If we had avoided those errors we would have been winners today,” Manpreet Singh told Sportskeeda after the game.

The skipper reasoned the defensive errors that cropped up in his side and felt his side were adjusting to the absence of Sandeep Narwal.

“Sandeep was not there for us today, so we had a new right corner. In such a competitive league, it is not easy to come in and perform at the best level. I am confident he will pick up form as he plays more in the league and we will be back to our best,” the Patna Pirates’skipper declared.

I hope Pardeep Narwal plays for India soon: Patna Pirates coach

On the day the usually solid Patna Pirates defence wasn’t up to the mark, nineteen-year-old raider Pardeep Narwal stepped up to the plate and bagged 14 points in the game. Having scored eleven raid points that included a super raid, Narwal also bagged three crucial tackle points.

His coach Sanjiv Kumar Baliyan had words of praise for the young raider as he wished Pardeep Narwal soon donned the national colours.

“Pardeep Narwal’s performance was excellent today. He has been doing extremely well this season for us. I sincerely hope he continues to play well and one day represent the national team,” Sanjiv Kumar Baliyan said of the talented raider.